New York City, where the book's photographs were taken, is the inspiration for patterns that bring to life the chapters' themes: sleek midtown, downtown bohemian and city gardens. Melissa Wehrle, a trend-setting New York City designer, created 20 sophisticated projects that feature a variety of construction and finishing techniques, including knit-in pockets, tabs, button details, slip-stitch edgings, and small slits and pleats.

A peek at some of the chapter offerings:

* "Heart of the City" offers uptown flair, including accessories such as the mock honeycomb patterned "Opera House Mitts" and the "Uptown Scarf" (a soft, hazy knit detailed with pin tucks) and great sweaters ("Le Cirque Cowlneck Sweater" has a drapey, drop-shoulder silhouette with a fun detail of a faux button placket in the back).

* "Urban Bohemia" has a very Portland feel with patterns such as "Washington Square Cardigan," knit in a chunky yarn, with a leaf-evoking lace pattern running up the front, and the companion hat has a bright red button to offset the earthy brown. Both are knit in Ecological Wool.

* "City Gardens" offer a lighter feel, such as the "Atrium Cardigan," an open-stitch pattern in "cheery pink" with elbow-length sleeves. "Courtyard Pullover" rings the body in a variety of stitch patterns with nice waist shaping.